In Bed With The Devil (4 page)

“Everybody, this is Jack. Jack, this is my team.”

“Team for what?” he asked.

She grinned. “Would you believe me if I said polo?”

Judging from their pale skin and slightly peering gazes, he was going to guess none of them had ever seen a horse outside of the movies or television.

“No.”

“I didn’t think so. This is my solid-rocket-fuel team. We’re working on ways to make it less toxic and more efficient. There’s a technical explanation, but I don’t want to watch your eyes glaze over.”

“I appreciate that. What are they doing here?”

“Don’t freak. They’re not all staying in the house. Only Colin and Betina. The rest are staying at nearby hotels.”

Jack didn’t like the idea of anyone else hanging around. He needed to concentrate on work. Of course, if Meri were distracted by her friends, she wouldn’t be such a problem for him.

“Why are they here?” he asked.

“So we can work. I can’t leave the mountain, so they agreed to a field trip.” She leaned toward him and lowered her voice. “I know you’re going to find it difficult to believe, but this is a really fun group.”

Most of her colleagues were squinting in the sun and looking uncomfortable. “I can only imagine.”

She walked over to the oldest woman in the group—a slightly overweight, stylishly dressed blonde—linked arms with her and led her forward.

“Jack, this is my friend Betina. Technically she’s a liaison—she stands between the team and the real world, taking care of all the details the scientifically gifted seem to be so bad with. In reality, she’s my best friend and the reason I’m just so darned normal.”

He eyed the other woman and wondered how many of Meri’s secrets she knew.

“Nice to meet you,” he said as he shook hands with Betina.

Betina smiled. “I’m enjoying meeting you, as well,” she said. “Finally.”

Finally?

Meri grinned. “Did I tell you or what?”

Tell her what? But before Jack could ask, the group went into the house. He was left standing on the porch, wondering when the hell his life had gotten so out of his control.

Meri sat cross-legged in the center of the bed while her friend unpacked. “He’s gorgeous. Admit it—you saw it.”

Betina smiled. “Jack is very nice-looking, if you enjoy the tall, dark and powerful type. He wasn’t happy about us arriving.”

“I know. I didn’t tell him you were coming. It was fabulous. I wish you’d seen the look on his face when I explained why you were here. Of course, it was right after I told him I might marry Andrew, so there it was a double-thrill moment for me.”

Betina unpacked her cosmetics and carried them into the attached bathroom. “You know you’re not marrying Andrew. You’re baiting Jack.”

“It’s fun and I need a hobby.” Meri flopped back on the bed. “Why shouldn’t I bait him? He deserves it. He was mean to me.”

“He was in college. At that age, men are not known for their emotional sensitivity. Actually, they’re not known for it at any age. But the point is, you bared your heart and soul and he reacted badly. I agree some punishment is in order, but you’re taking it all too far. This is a mistake, Meri.”

Meri loved Betina like a sister…sometimes like a mom. There were only twelve years between them chronologically, but in life experiences they were light-years apart.

Betina had been the project manager’s assistant at the think tank that had first hired Meri. The second week Meri had been there, Betina had walked into her lab.

“Do you have anything close to a sense of humor?” the other woman had asked. “I don’t mind that you’re brilliant, but a sense of humor is required for any kind of a relationship.”

Meri hadn’t known what to say. She’d been eighteen and terrified of living on her own in a strange city. Money wasn’t an issue—the think tank had hired her for more than she’d ever thought she would earn and she had a family trust fund. But she’d spent that last third of her life in college. What did she know about furnishing an apartment, buying a car, paying bills?

“I don’t know if I would qualify as funny,” Meri had said honestly. “Does sarcasm count?”

Betina had smiled. “Oh, honey, sarcasm is the best.”

At that moment their friendship had been born.

Betina had been turning thirty and on her own for over a decade. She’d shown Meri how to live on her own and had insisted she buy a condo in a good part of D.C.

She’d taken care of Meri after both her surgeries, offered fashion advice, love life advice and had hooked her up with a trainer who had pummeled her into shape.

“Why is getting revenge a mistake?” Meri asked as her friend finished unpacking. “He’s earned it.”

“Because you’re not thinking this through. You’re going to get into trouble and I don’t want that to happen. Your relationship with Jack isn’t what you think.”

Meri frowned. “What do you mean? I totally understand my feelings about Jack. I had a huge crush on him, he hurt me and, because of that, I’ve been unable to move on. If I sleep with him, I’ll instantly figure out that he’s not special at all. He’s just some guy and I’ll be healed. The benefit is I get to leave him wanting more.”

Betina sat next to her and fluffed her short hair. “I hate travel. I always get puffy.” Then she drew in a breath. “You didn’t have a crush on Jack. You were in love with him then and you’re still in love with him. You’re emotionally connected to him, even if you refuse to admit it. Sleeping with him is only going to confuse the matter. The problem with your plan is that, odds are, the person left wanting more could easily be you.”

Meri sat up and took Betina’s hands. “I love and admire you, but you are desperately wrong.”

“I hope so, for your sake.”

But her friend sounded worried as she spoke. Meri appreciated the show of support. They were never going to agree on this topic. Better to move on.

She released Betina’s hands and grinned. “So Colin is right next door. Whatever will the two of you get up to late at night?”

Betina flushed. “Lower your voice,” she whispered. “He’ll hear you.”

“Oh, please. He wouldn’t hear a nuclear explosion if he was focused on something else, and when I walked by his room, he was already booting his laptop. We’re safe. Don’t you love how I got the two of you into the house while everyone else is far, far away?”

“I guess,” Betina said with uncharacteristic indecision. “I know something has to happen soon or I’ll be forced to back the car over him. He’s such a sweetie. And you know I really like him, but I don’t think I’m his type.”

Meri groaned. “He doesn’t have a type. He’s a nerd. Do you think he dates much?”

“He should. He’s adorable and smart and funny.”

Her friend had it bad, Meri thought happily. And she was pretty sure that Colin found Betina equally intriguing. Usually Betina simply took what she wanted in the man department. But something about Colin made her nervous.

“He’s afraid of being rejected,” Meri told her. “Something I can relate to.”

“I wouldn’t reject him,” Betina said. “But it will never work. We’re on a project together. I’m too old for him and I’m too fat.”

“You’re six years older, which is nothing, and you’re not fat. You’re totally curvy and lush. Guys go for that.”

They always had. Meri had spent the last decade marveling at the number of men her friend met, dated, slept with and dumped.

“Not Colin. He barely speaks to me.”

“Which is interesting,” Meri said. “He talks to everyone else.”

It was true. Colin was tongue-tied around Betina. Meri thought it was charming.

At first, when her friend had confessed her interest in Colin, Meri had been protective of her coworker. Colin might enjoy the ride that was Betina, but once dumped, he would be heartbroken. Then Betina had admitted her feelings went a whole lot deeper. The L word had been whispered.

After getting over the idea of her friend being in love with anyone, Meri had agreed to help. So far, she’d been unable to think of a way to bring the couple together. Hunter’s lodge had offered the perfect opportunity.

“You have time,” Meri pointed out. “Jack and I never come down here, so you have the whole floor to yourselves. You can talk to each other in a casual setting. No pressure. It will be great.”

Betina smiled. “Hey, it’s my job to be the positive, self-actualized one.”

“I know. I love being the emotionally mature friend. It doesn’t happen often.”

“It happens more and more.”

Meri leaned in and hugged her friend. “You’re the best.”

“So are you.”

Jack looked up as he heard footsteps on the stairs. Seconds later, Meri appeared in his loft office.

She’d changed into a tight skirt and cropped top, curled her hair and put on makeup. Always pretty, she’d upped the stakes to come-get-me sexy.

A quick bit of research on the Internet had told him that the guy she’d mentioned wasn’t one of her scientists. Instead he worked for a D.C. lobbyist and was safely several thousand miles away. Not that Jack cared one way or the other. The only issue for him was researching the man more thoroughly. If things were getting serious, it was his job to make sure Meri wasn’t being taken.

His low-grade anger was something he would deal with later. He didn’t know why he minded the thought of her marrying some guy, but he did.

“We’re going to dinner,” she announced when she stopped in front of his desk. “You might not believe this, but we’re actually a pretty fun group. You’re welcome to join us.”

“Thanks, but no.”

“Want me to bring back something? The fridge is still fully stocked, but I could stop for chicken wings.”

“I’m good.”

She turned to leave. He stopped her with, “You should have mentioned you were engaged.”

She turned back to him. “Why? You claim you’re not sleeping with me. What would an engagement matter one way or another?”

“It makes a difference. I wouldn’t have kissed you.”

“Ah. Then I’m glad you didn’t know.” Her blue eyes brightened with amusement. “Does the fact that I belong to someone else make me more tempting? The allure of the forbidden?”

He had to consciously keep from smiling. She’d always been overly dramatic.

“No,” he told her. “Sorry.”

“You’re not sorry. And, for what it’s worth, the engagement isn’t official. I wouldn’t be trying to sleep with you if I’d said yes.”

A cool rush of relief swept through him. “You said no?”

“I didn’t say anything. Andrew hasn’t actually proposed. I found a ring.” She shifted on her high heels. “I didn’t know what to think. I’d never thought about getting married. I realized we had unfinished business, so here I am. Seducing you.”

He ignored that. “You’re sleeping with him.” The point was obvious, so he didn’t make it a question.

She leaned forward and sighed. “It bothers you, doesn’t it? Thinking about me in bed with another man. Writhing, panting, being taken.” She straightened and fanned herself. “Wow, it’s really warm here at the top of the house.”

He didn’t react, at least not on the outside. But her words had done what she’d wanted them to do. He reacted on the inside, with heat building in his groin.

She got to him. He would give her points for that. But she wouldn’t win.

“So no on dinner?” she asked.

“I have work.”

“Okay. Want a goodbye kiss before I go?”

He hated that he did. He wanted to feel her mouth on his, her body leaning in close. He wanted skin on skin, touching her until he made her cry out with a passion she couldn’t control. “No, thanks,” he said coolly.

She eyed him for a second, then grinned. “We both know that’s not true, don’t we, Jack?”

And then she was gone.

But just this once Meri had passed up the wine and gone with a margarita. That was fine, but she’d ordered a second one and was absolutely feeling it as she climbed the stairs to her bedroom.

As she reached the landing, she saw two doors and was reminded that it was also the same floor with Jack’s bedroom.

What an interesting fact, she thought as she paused and stared at the firmly closed door. He was in there. By himself, she would guess. So what exactly was he getting up to?

She was pretty confident he was stretched out on the bed, watching TV or reading. But this was her buzz, and she could imagine him waiting for her in the massive tub in front of the fireplace if she wanted to. Because in her fantasy, he wanted her with a desperation that took his breath away. In her fantasy, he was deeply sorry for hurting her and he’d spent the past eleven years barely surviving because his love for her had been so great it had immobilized him.

“Okay, that last one is total crap,” she whispered to herself. “But the other two have possibilities.”

She walked to his door, knocked once, then let herself in before he could tell her to go away.

A quick glance around the room told her that he wasn’t about to fulfill her bathtub fantasy. Probably for the best. She was really feeling the margarita, and drowning was a distinct possibility.

Instead of being naked and in water, Jack sat in a corner chair, his feet up on the leather ottoman, reading. At least he’d been reading until she’d walked in. Now he set the book on his lap and looked at her expectantly.

She swayed as she moved toward the bed and sank down on the edge. She pushed off her sandals and smiled at him.

“Dinner was great. You should have come.”

“I’ll survive the deep loss.”

She smiled. “You’re so funny. Sometimes I forget you’re funny. I think it’s because you’re so intense and macho. Dangerous. You were always dangerous. Before, it was just about who you were as a person, but now you have access to all kinds of weapons. Doubly dangerous.”

His gaze narrowed slightly. “You’re drunk.”

She waved her left hand back and forth. “Drunk is such a strong term. Tipsy. Buzzed. Seriously buzzed. I had a second margarita. Always a mistake. I don’t drink much, so I never build up any tolerance. And I’m small, so there’s not much in the way of body mass. I could figure out the formula if you want. How many ounces of alcohol per pound of human body.”

“An intriguing offer, but no.”

She smiled. “It’s the math, huh. You’re scared of the math. Most people are. I don’t know why. Math is constant, you know. It’s built on principles, and once you learn them, they don’t change. It’s not like literature. That’s open to interpretation and there’s all that writing. But math is clean. You’re right or you’re not. I like being right.”

“It’s your competitive streak,” he said.

She swayed slightly on the bed. “You think I’m competitive?”

“It’s in your blood.”

“I guess. I like to be right about stuff. I get focused. I can be a real pain.” She grinned. “Doesn’t that make me even cuter? How can you stand it?”

“I’m using every ounce of willpower not to attack you this very moment.”

“You’re so lying, but it’s sweet. Thank you.”

She stared at him. If eyes were the windows to the soul, then Jack’s innermost place was a dark and protected place.

Secrets, she thought. They all had secrets. What were his?

Not that he would tell her. He kept that sort of thing to himself. But if he ever did decide to trust someone, it would be forever, she thought idly. Or maybe that was another of her fantasies.

“You need to help me with Betina and Colin,” she told him. “We’re going to get them together.”

One dark eyebrow rose. “I don’t think so.”

“Oh, come on. Don’t be such a guy. This could be fun. Just think of it—we could be part of a great love match.”

“Colin and Betina?” He sounded doubtful.

“Sure. Betina has a serious thing for Colin. I was skeptical at first because Betina changes her men with the rhythm of the tide. A long-term relationship for her is a week. But that’s because she’s afraid to really care about someone. She had a bad early marriage years ago. Anyway, she’s liked Colin for a long time, and that liking has grown into something more. Something significant.”

She paused, waiting for him to grasp the importance of the information. Obviously he missed it, because he said, “I’m not getting involved.”

“You have to. It’s not like you’re doing anything else with your time.”

“We’re going to ignore my work and the effort I put into avoiding you?”

“Oh, yeah. There’s hard duty. A beautiful single woman desperately wants you in her bed. Poor Jack. Your life is pain.”

She could think of a thousand ways he could have reacted, but she never expected him to smile.

“You think of yourself as beautiful?” he asked quietly, sounding almost pleased.

Meri shifted on the bed. “It was a figure of speech.”

“The last time we talked about your appearance, you said you were a freak.”

She didn’t want to think about that, but if he insisted…“The last time we talked about my appearance, you emotionally slapped me, trampled my heart and left me for dead.”

His smile faded. “I’m sorry. I should have handled that differently.”

“But you didn’t. I wasn’t asking for sex right that moment.” She didn’t want to be talking about this. It was too humiliating. “My point is, Betina is crazy about Colin and I’m pretty sure he likes her. Which is where you come in. I want you to find out for sure.”

“What? No.”

“Why not? You’re a guy, he’s a guy. You can ask him if he likes Betina.”

“Should I pass you a note in homeroom?”

“I don’t care how I get the information, I just need confirmation.”

“You’re not getting it from me.”

She remembered his being stubborn but never this bad. “Have I mentioned you’re annoying? Because you are.”

“I live to serve.”

“If only that were true. Look, they’re both great people. They deserve to be happy. I’m just giving them a little push.”

“Did you need a push with Andrew?”

She sighed. “I wondered when you’d bring him up.”

“You’re nearly engaged. Why wouldn’t I be curious?”

She tried to figure out what he was thinking from his tone of voice, but as usual, Jack gave nothing away. It was one of his more annoying characteristics.

“We met at a charity auction,” she said. “There was a pet fashion show to start things off. Somehow I got tangled up in the leashes and nearly fell. Andrew rescued me. It was very romantic.”

“I can only imagine.”

She ignored any hint of sarcasm in his voice. Maybe knowing there was another man in her life would make him a little less arrogant.

“He was funny and charming and I liked him right away. We have so much in common. What movies we like, where we go on vacation. It’s been really fun.”

It had been fun, she thought, remembering all the good times with Andrew. But she’d been on this coast for nearly six months. They’d had a chance to get together only a few times, although they talked regularly. Their relationship seemed to be on hold and she obviously didn’t mind. Something she was going to have to think about.

“Is he a genius, too?” Jack asked.

“No, he’s delightfully normal. Smart but not too smart. I like that in a guy.”

“What do you know about him? Did you check him out?”

“Of course. He’s just a regular guy. Not in it for money.” Her good mood faded. “Is that your point? That no one could possibly want me if it wasn’t for the money?”

“Not at all. I just want you to be happy.”

“I am happy. Blissfully so. Andrew’s the one. We’ll be engaged as soon as I get back to D.C.” Which wasn’t actually true but it sounded good.

“Congratulations.”

Jack had ruined everything, she thought bitterly as she stood. Her buzz, her great evening.

“Just because you don’t believe in letting yourself care about people doesn’t mean the feelings aren’t real,” she told him. “Some of us want to connect.”

“I hope you do. I hope this is everything you want.”

“Why don’t I believe you? What aren’t you saying?”

“That if Andrew was so important to you, you wouldn’t stay away from him for six months.”

She walked to the door. “Who says I have?”

With that, she walked out and closed the door behind her.

It was only a few steps to her room, and she was grateful for the solitary quiet when she entered. After flicking on a few lights, she crossed to the window and stared out at the night sky.

It was a perfect night for viewing the stars, but she wasn’t in the mood. Not even on her brand-new telescope. She hurt too much and it was hard to say why.

Maybe because Jack was right. If Andrew was that important to her, she wouldn’t stay away from him for six months. But she had, and it had been relatively easy. Too easy. If she were really in love with him, wouldn’t she be desperate to be with him?

Finding the engagement ring had shocked her. She hadn’t known what to think about his proposing. She’d been happy, but a part of her had known that it was time to put off the inevitable. That closure with Jack was required.

She’d known about Hunter’s friends coming to stay at the house. She’d taken the consulting job in California, hired on as the caretaker of the house and had waited to confront the man who was holding her back. Once she got her revenge on Jack, she would be fine.

“That’s what’s wrong,” she whispered to herself. “I’m still waiting to punish him. Once Jack is reduced to dust, I’ll be able to give my whole heart to Andrew. It’s just going to be another week or so. Then I’ll be happy.”

Jack spent a restless night. He told himself it was because he’d had coffee too late in the day, but part of the problem was Meri’s words. Her claim that he didn’t connect.

Late the next morning, he saved the files on his computer and opened the top desk drawer in his temporary office. There was an envelope inside, along with a letter.

The letter had been waiting for him the first day he’d arrived. He’d recognized the distinctive handwriting and had known it was from Matt. The battered appliances in the kitchen had been another clue. His friend might be able to program a computer to do heart surgery, but Matt couldn’t do something simple like work an electric can opener.

For some reason, Jack had avoided the letter. Now he opened the envelope and pulled out the single sheet of paper.